Alita Florence (Sliger) Robertson
Alita Florence (Sliger) Robertson, 83, passed into the arms of Jesus on Wednesday, Feb. 18, at Crossing Rivers Hospital in Prairie du Chien.
Alita was born in Loma Linda Calif. on Sept. 7, 1931. She grew up in beautiful Redlands, Calif. where she was active in church, music and family. She worked her way up to Coffee Shop Manager for Forest Home Christian Conference Center in the San Bernardino Mountains. She became a buyer/manager for their family store (Sliger's Music). She earned an AA in Commercial Art at San Bernardino Valley College and a BA in Music and Christian Education at Simpson Bible College in San Francisco. While at College she was active in and toured with school music groups. She was the school’s photographer, published photos and earned a Commercial Photographer’s license. While at Simpson she met and married Gerald Robertson (8/28/59). Together they served in ministry as Pastor and pastor’s wife for over 40 years.
Alita’s many gifts enhanced her husband's ministry. She played piano and organ and directed choirs.
She had a gift for decorating and floral arranging and was diligent in beautifying the church and platform. She organized, produced and hosted countless memorable events. She was passionate about hospitality and entertaining. Alita went back to school and at age 59 earned a Masters in Counseling at UW Platteville. Together with her husband they founded Ministries Resource Center, Inc.(MRC) - a non-profit organization aimed at helping those in Christian ministry to find rest, spiritual renewal, crisis and conflict resolution resources and counseling. Alita was a social worker at Orchard Manor in Lancaster for seven years. When she left Orchard Manor she became a State Licensed Certified Professional Counselor and has helped many families and marriages. Alita had many jobs over the years to supplement her family’s income.
Counted among her favorites was working at a local florist in Prairie du Chien. Most noted was serving as an interim Professor at UW Platteville for Counselor Ed Masters classes.
Alita has made and kept many friends over the years, corresponding with people from all over the United States. Alita’s favorite hobbies included making dried weed arrangements, gardening and preserving. Among her passions in life was cooking—especially for church gatherings.
She was full of energy and a tireless worker. She relished any kind of project and had an incredible ability to get things done. She was known for loving and caring for her family. She cared about their happiness as much or more than her own. She was an energetic cheer leader, counselor and encourager. Alita was an extraordinary woman who will be greatly missed.
Alita was preceded in death by her parents, Dale Ellis Sliger and Frances Upton (Buckmaster) Sliger; and her husband, Rev. Gerald Lynn Robertson
She is survived by her sister, Willma (John) Voss of Mentone, Calif.; four children, James (Leslie) Robertson of Norwood/Young America, Minn., Lori Frailey of Prairie du Chien, Alynda (Rev. Mark) Wallace of Chicora, Pa., Mark (Sheri) Robertson of Golden Valley, Minn.; eleven grandchildren, Jonathan (Sarah), Andrew, Hope, Debbie (Michael), Amy, Cathy, Christy (Rusty), Ben (Keri), Sarah, Josh and Alita; seven great grandchildren, Micah, Maddie, Miles, Aydn, Sam, Naomi and Korrie.
Garrity Funeral Home of Prairie du Chien will care for her cremation and the memorial service will be held Saturday, Feb. 28, at 11 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Prairie du Chien. Friends may call at the church on Saturday, Feb. 28, from 9 a.m. until the time of services. Memorial donations may be made to Minstries Resource Center.
